The Squire Part 14

{Fel.} _(timidly)_ Good-night, sir.

{Izod.} Good-night, Miss Gunnion. _(makes a grimace at her)_

_(She goes out hurriedly.)_

{Chris.} _(R.)_ My poor brother has something to say to you, Squire.

{Izod.} _(C.)_ It's this, Squire. I hear that Gilbert Hythe has had enough of the Priors, and that there's room for a new handyman.

{Kate.} Gunnion takes Gilbert Hythe's place--you know that.

{Izod.} Yes, Squire--but in consequence of the old man's awful dishonesty with the harvest ale, I thought perhaps you'd like to chuck him over. _(Chris, gets to R., of Izod)_ Now, Squire, I'm doing nothing just at present--a gentleman, so to speak--give me a turn-- have me at your own price, Squire, and you get me cheap.

{Kate.} _(rising)_ Look here, Master Haggerston, I don't want to do you an injustice, but I don't like you. There's no room on my farm for you. I shall be glad to hear that you're doing well elsewhere.

_(Kate crosses to fireplace--the fire is now burning brightly. Kate leans against mantel-piece as Chris. goes over to Izod. L.)_

{Izod.} _(L. C., to Chris., aside)_ There, I told you so, she's a cat!

{Chris.} _(C.)_ Poor boy. _(to Kate, whose back is turned to them)_ Will you want me again to-night, Squire?

{Kate.} _(R. without turning)_ No. Go to bed, Christie.

{Chris.} And I suppose Izod can be off about his business?

{Kate.} Yes.

{Chris.} _(aside to Izod, clutching his arm)_ Izod, I'll see you out past the dog, dear--then go and lie by the ricks near the Five Trees, and watch who pa.s.ses under the archway to-night.

{Izod.} _(in a whisper)_ How long am I to wait?

{Chris.} Wait till a man walks from the Market-Sinfield road, and you won't wait long, _(to Kate)_ Good-night, Squire, dear.

{Kate.} _(turning)_ Good-night, Christie.

_(Chris, and Izod go out L., closing the door after them. The clock strikes nine.)_

_(Looks at her watch)_ Already! Oh, if that boy should not have pa.s.sed the Five Trees before Eric comes! How provoking! _(she crosses to door L., listens, then turns the key)_ There's something about to-night that I don't like. Christie! How unkind of Christie to be so jealous! _(still listening, she goes to window L., pulls tack the curtain and opens window)_ That's Christie and her brother walking over the stones, _(looking out)_ And there's the light in Felicity's room still burning--I can see the shadows. When will the house be still? Ugh! What a dark night for Eric's lonely walk, _(the bell rings in the court below. Katie draws back)_ The bell! So late--what can that mean? _(she comes from the window and draws the curtain over the recess)_ Something wrong in the village--someone ill. _(she crosses to fireplace, nervously)_ Perhaps poor Mrs. Tester has sent for me to read to her, or old Mr. Parsley wants me to witness another will--I've witnessed eight of them--he has only a few spoons to leave behind him--I can't go to-night. _(A knocking at the door L.)_ Who is that?

{Chris.} _(outside)_ Christiana.

_(Kate crosses quickly to door L., and unlocks it.)_

{Kate.} Christiana! _(opening the door)_ What is wrong, Christie?

_(Christiana enters.)_

{Chris.} Parson Dormer has walked over from Market-Sinfield and must see you to-night.

{Kate.} Not to-night--not to-night--to-morrow.

_(Dormer enters; he wears an old Inverness cape and woollen gloves.)_

{Dormer.} I suppose a man ought to apologize for calling at this hour. It's cold enough, so one pays the penalty, _(takes off cape, gloves, and hat, and puts them on settee L.)_

{Kate.} _(crosses distractedly to fireplace)_ Come to the fire, parson, _(he crosses to Kate.)_ Something unusual must have brought you so late, _(crosses towards fire below table)_

{Dormer.} _(pauses below table)_ Perhaps, _(crosses to fire)_

_(While he does so, Chris, up stage gently looks through the curtain into the window recess.)_

{Chris.} _(at L. C.--aside)_ She has opened the window--the saint! Poor Izod won't have to wait long, _(going to door L.)_ Shall I sit up, Squire?

{Kate.} No, I will see the parson through the archway.

_(Chris, goes out.)_

{Dormer.} Something unusual has brought me to you.

{Kate.} _(with exclamation and quickly)_ I feared so.

{Dormer.} I am here to render a service to John Verity's daughter.

{Kate.} Thank you.

{Dormer.} _(stands with his back to fire--the red glow is upon them)_ People think me a strange man, but I am strange even to myself when I find my heart running away with me as it does to-night.

{Kate.} You make me frightened of what you have to say to me.

{Dormer.} It rests with you whether I shall speak or hold my tongue.

{Kate.} _(moves front chair R., of table)_ No---say what you have to say.

{Dormer.} Will you be truthful with me?

{Kate.} What do you mean by that?

{Dormer.} Strange thing for a rough man, such as I, to aim at. I want to save you pain, _(puts his hand on her shoulder)_

{Kate.} Pain! I thought so.

{Dormer.} If it had pleased Heaven to give me that one woman for a wife, and that woman had borne me a daughter, to that daughter I should have spoken as I speak to you now.

{Kate.} _(slowly places her hand in his--with pain)_ Is anyone, who might be dear to me, dead?

{Dormer.} No. _(Kate sinks back)_ Some one has returned to life.

{Kate.} Can it concern me?